Varicella Zoster Virus IgM Antibodies

Chickenpox is an acute viral disease characterized by fever and vesicular rash on the skin and mucous membranes. Most often, this disease affects preschool-aged children, who then experience a mild form of the disease. Adults endure chickenpox much more severely, as the risk of developing complications in adults suffering from chickenpox is many times greater than in children. Chickenpox infection is particularly dangerous for infants and pregnant women, as well as those with weakened immunity.

Infection occurs from a person with chickenpox when the infected person coughs, sneezes, or even talks. Infection can also occur directly through the skin by touching the rashes (both from a person with chickenpox and shingles); if a pregnant woman is infected, it can be transmitted through the placenta. The virus is highly volatile and can spread throughout a building, but it is sensitive to ultraviolet rays and quickly dies outdoors, so infection occurs only in enclosed spaces.

The first symptoms of the disease appear 2 - 3 weeks after infection. The onset of the disease is acute. Initially, nonspecific symptoms appear - fever, weakness, malaise. Later, rashes start as spots that turn into vesicles filled with clear fluid. The rash is characterized by change: initially, a pink spot appears, followed by a rise, then a vesicle with clear fluid forms, which crusts over as it dries. The rash occurs in waves every 1 - 2 days, so all stages of rash elements can be seen in one area. The affected areas itch intensely. Vesicles most often appear on the hairy part of the head, face, trunk, limbs, and mucous membranes (mouth, eyes, genitals). New rash elements appear around the 5th day from the onset of the disease.

Chickenpox is usually mild, but in rare cases, the disease can be fatal. Persons with compromised immune systems and adults suffer from chickenpox particularly severely. The risk of complications in adults with chickenpox is many times greater than in children. When infected during pregnancy, potential harm to the baby or miscarriage may occur.

Those who have had chickenpox develop a strong, long-lasting immunity. Reoccurrence is rare (no more than 2 - 3% of cases).